The Murray County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution for their preliminary levy for 2027, setting the notto- exceed levy increase at 11 percent.
Murray County Auditor/ Treasurer Heidi Winter recommended to the commissioners that the not-to-exceed increase amount be set at 9.98 percent, but because union contracts have not yet been settled and equipment purchases are in the near future, Commissioner Roger Zins suggested leaving themselves a bit of a cushion.
The motion to approve the 11 percent increase was approved, but the commissioners said they have every intention of lowering that number before the final levy is certified.
“We need to be as conservative as we can, but provide services as needed,” said Chair Mark Carlson.
The final levy will be certified before the end of the year, but the public will get an opportunity to comment on the budget and levy during a November 24 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. The commissioners approved the date of that meeting during Tuesday’s meeting.
While they were still discussing a levy increase of 9.98 percent, Commissioner Jackie Meier asked Winter what percentage of the increase was for salaries. Winter said 7 percent of it went toward salary increases and the county’s share of health insurance increases.
In other county business, commissioners approved a new contract for the billboards the county uses for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) advertising. They have used two billboards – one by Garvin and the other just south of Slayton – and change them out twice a year. The new contract is for $10,790 a year, which is paid for with AIS funds.
Commissioners also approved a tax abatement through the Murray County Home Initiative for a new house being built by Eric and Krista Gillette and approved the hiring of Heidi Borer as a part-time interim dispatch/ jailor.
